hermaphrodite
UK[hɜːˈmæfrədaɪt]US[hɜːrˈmæfrədaɪt]
n
An organism that has both male and female reproductive organs.
n
A person or thing combining two opposite qualities or characteristics.
Morpheme Breakdown
herm
aphro
dite
herm
aphro
dite
Etymology
The word 'hermaphrodite' originates from a specific mythological figure in Greek lore, Hermaphroditos, the child of the gods Hermes and Aphrodite. According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Hermaphroditos became physically fused with a nymph, resulting in a single body possessing the physical traits of both sexes. This proper name was adopted into Latin as 'hermaphroditus' and subsequently into English, shifting from a specific name to a general biological and figurative term. The logic of the word is thus a direct portmanteau of the names of the two parent deities, representing a literal and symbolic union of male and female principles.
Analysis
Structure: herm + aphro + dite
herm (from Greek 'Hermēs', the name of the Greek god Hermes)
aphro (from Greek 'Aphroditē', the name of the Greek goddess Aphrodite)
dite (a suffix derived from the Greek name 'Aphroditē', forming the latter part of the compound name)
Examples
The earthworm is a common example of a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female sex organs.
The artist described the statue as a hermaphrodite, blending masculine strength with feminine grace.
In some plant species, a single flower can be a hermaphrodite, containing both stamens and a pistil.